The Havurah Initiative
The Havurah Initiative (HI) encourages and provides funding for the formation of ongoing, intimate, peer-led groups that share and explore a Jewish focus of their own choosing. Havurot bring a richness of Jewish experience, personal meaning and interpersonal connection to their members. Each havurah that forms as part of the HI program will have a connector who brings people together based on shared Jewish interests.
What is the role of the Connector?
- Reach out to individuals who are looking for a Jewish connection; listen to their interests and ideas.
- Convene with prospective members and facilitate an initial meeting to discuss group goals, focus, and next steps.
- Help the group develop expectations around scheduling, communication, and decision-making.
- Facilitate the members of the group taking full ownership of all aspects of the havurah.
- Bring the support and resources offered by the Jewish Federation of Northeastern NY and HGF HI to the attention of the havurah.
- Attend sessions with other connectors and Jewish Federation of Northeastern NY and HGF HI staff for training, workshops, and idea sharing.
- Complete a brief trimester report highlighting havurah developments, progress, challenges, and successes.
- Stay in regular contact with staff.
For a Havurah to qualify, it must:
- Have a minimum of seven people
- Meet nine times a year or more
- Have a Jewish focus
- Share leadership among its members
- Agree to the principles of the Jewish Federation of NENY mission
Dish and Knish
for Jewish young adults aged 20s-30s
This havurah is dedicated to exploring the rich and diverse world of Jewish cooking—from traditional recipes to modern twists—while embracing a variety of cultural flavors and dietary needs.
Novels and Nosh
Bringing together Jewish women of all backgrounds to connect through a welcoming book club, where participants explore literature and engage in thoughtful, Jewish-themed conversations. To learn more about this havurah, please contact Antoinette Deitcher: avdeitcher@gmail.com.
Shabbat & Holiday Havurah
for Jewish young adults aged 20s-30s
Come together for Shabbat, holidays, and Jewish focused community events. This havurah will create a network to share our favorite aspects of Judaism and Jewish Community.
People of the Book
for Jewish young adults aged 20s-30s
Engage with art/books and foster discussions about the Jewish World as a whole through literature.
JArts/Culture
for Jewish young adults aged 20s-30s
Explore new activities, art venues, cultural experiences, many Jewish themed or staffed, as a collective of young Jews with that lens toward our world.
The Wandering Jews
for Jewish young adults aged 20s-30s
Explore nature together; exploring Jewish values and the great outdoors collectively.
Tikkun Olam Havurah
for Jewish young adults aged 20s-30s
Building a community of young volunteers to meet the needs of our local community.
J. Text Study
for Jewish young adults aged 20s-30s
Explore Jewish texts and relevancy in our daily lives.
Teanoki
A spin-off of the Hebrew word for Baby, Teanok תינוק. The purpose of our havurah is to build a sense of camaraderie for those with children aged 0-1. We will create a means of communication for parents to foster meaningful friendships by attending community events and sharing everything Jewish. To learn more about this havurah, please contact Helena Mills: helena.e.mills@gmail.com.
Schenectady Young Families Havurah
A group consisting of young families looking to connect within their community, Jewishly. To learn more about this havurah, please contact Ilene Friedman: ilene_friedman@yahoo.com.
Machers & Mavens
A group of mature couples who originally bonded over games of Mah Jongg and Canasta, who want to continue their connection through a variety of social and Jewish activities. To learn more about this havurah, please contact Randy Fox: randfox@gmail.com.
Active Empty Nesters
A havurah group designed and created for those members of our community whose children have “flown the nest.” To learn more about this havurah, please contact Paula Metzner: metzner.paula@gmail.com.
Clifton Park Young Families
A havurah geared towards families looking to connect with other families located in the Clifton Park region. To learn more about this havurah, please contact Erik Lustgarten: eriklg@gmail.com.
**Havurot that are political in nature, lobbying parties, advocating for specific political parties or initiatives, and/or designed to educate wider audiences will not be approved.
For more information about The Havurah Initiative, contact:
KB Goodkin
(518) 783-7800 ext. 222
kbgoodkin@jewishfedny.org